Malachite

Malachite is a green copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with the chemical formula Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂ . It typically forms in the monoclinic crystal system, presenting in botryoidal, fibrous, stalagmitic masses & occasionally prismatic crystals.

• Hardness: 3.5–4 (Mohs scale)

• Specific gravity: 3.6–4.0

• Luster: Ranges from adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy when massive

• Twinning: Contact, penetration, & polysynthetic types are common  

Malachite is a secondary mineral, arising from the oxidation & weathering of primary copper sulfides (e.g., chalcopyrite & bornite) in the presence of CO₂-rich water—conditions that lead to copper-rich carbonate 

Notable localities include:

• Ural Mountains (Russia)

• Nizhny Tagil (Siberia)

• Chessy (France)

• Tsumeb (Namibia)

• Bisbee (Arizona, USA)

• Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Mexico, & parts of Australia 

The name is derived from the Greek malākhē (mallow plant), due to its rich green colour.

• Egyptians mined malachite near the Suez Isthmus & Sinai around 4000 BCE, using it for ornamental & practical purposes.

• It was mined at the Great Orme Mines in Britain circa 1800 BCE for copper production.

• Used as a pigment in Egyptian tomb paintings, as eyeshadow, & in medieval & Renaissance art—e.g., by Raphael & Tintoretto.

• In ancient Egypt, the green hue symbolized resurrection & life; Egyptians called the afterlife the “Field of Malachite”.

• During the Tsarist era, malachite was used in ornate architectural décor (e.g. Malachite Room in the Hermitage) & diplomatic gifts.

Uses & Applications

• Ornamental & architectural: Used extensively in jewelry, inlay, decorative arts, & museum pieces; prized for its unique patterns & colours.

• Pigment: Natural green pigment until about 1800. It’s moderately lightfast & sensitive to acids, leading to its replacement by synthetic alternatives (e.g., “green verditer”).

Symbolism & Folklore

• Worn in protective talismans: In medieval Spain, children wore malachite to ward off evil & promote restful sleep; Marbodus recommended it for youth’s safety & health.

• Ancient beliefs: Egyptians viewed malachite as protective; Greeks & Romans used it in jewelry and cosmetics for both aesthetic & spiritual purposes.

• It was believed to protect against misfortune, illness, & to foster strength and authority—used by Assyrian governors & Phoenician sailors.

Sources

• Composition, crystallography, properties, & occurrences: Wikipedia       

• Geological formation & features: geologyscience.com   

• Historical mining & uses: Wikipedia, Britannica, various references     

• Symbolism, folklore, ancient applications: Emmanuel Leguyon website, crystal lore sources